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Monday, March 04, 2013

Welcome back, Jordyn. Why do you write the
kind of books you do?
Jordyn: I write suspense because it’s inherent to my nature as an ER nurse.
I want readers to experience the adrenaline rush I get at work when they read
my novels.

Besides when you came
to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
Jordyn: So many happy days. Probably the next that would rank the highest
were when I got married and when my daughters were born.

How has being
published changed your life?
Jordyn: Great question. I work a lot more now. But also, it has brought me
in closer relationship with God. For me, writing was a path I didn’t pursue
until the Lord essentially pulled me onto it through some significant events in
my life. It’s faith affirming for me to see God’s fingerprints all over my
writer’s journey.

What are you reading
right now?
Jordyn: I just finished Andrew Klavan’s A
Killer in the Wind and Henry Kraus’s A
Heartbeat Away. I read both secular and inspirational suspense. This is why
I’m now reading Beautiful Creatures
by Garcia and Stohl. What is it about these books that’s resonating with
readers and if it’s secular—it there a way to write these storylines from a
Christian worldview?

What is your current
work in progress?

Jordyn: Right now
I’m working on a book proposal for my next trilogy. Haven’t settled on what it
will be quite yet but I’ve been doing some research into near death experiences
and views on consciousness/memory.

What would be your
dream vacation?
Jordyn: Either Italy or Hawaii. Italy because I’m a research nut and I
desperately want to get into the secret Vatican
archives.

How do you choose
your settings for each book?
Jordyn: With my first trilogy, I picked something close to home—literally.
I set the novels in my home state. I love Colorado for its beauty and mystery. It lent
well to a suspense novel.

If you could spend an
evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
Jordyn: Dean Koontz. He’s my all time favorite suspense author and a huge
inspiration to me on many levels. I’d love to just pick his brain about his
writing, his faith, and his love of golden retrievers.

We had a golden retriever
when I was growing up. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
Jordyn: I love to quilt and cross stitch. That’s how I unwind at night.

What is your most
difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Jordyn: The first draft is the hardest for me—particularly if I don’t know
what’s coming next in the book. I’m somewhere between a plotter and a pantser
so I don’t have every scene outlined. Staring at a blank computer is difficult.

What advice would you
give to a beginning author?
Jordyn: The first draft is just yours. What happened to me for years is I
was stuck on the first 30,000 words. I would submit the first part of my book
to others for critique but then I felt like I had to incorporate all their suggestions.
I was having trouble discerning my own author’s voice. Finally, I just decided
I needed to finish my novel and then go
to a few trusted people for their opinion. The result was a finished novel and
through the writing of the book I learned what was important to keep and what
could be deleted/changed without harming the integrity of the story.

Tell us about the featured book.
Jordyn: Five years ago, Keelyn Blake's armed, mentally ill stepfather took
her family hostage in their house in rural Colorado. She and her half-sister Raven made
it out alive, but others did not. Authorities blamed the father's frequent
hallucinations about a being named Lucent, but in the end, even the best of the
FBI's hostage negotiators failed to overcome the man's delusions and end the
standoff peacefully.

Now, Lucent is back, and he's no hallucination. In fact, he is a very real
person with dangerous motives. He has kidnapped Raven's daughter, and—Keelyn
worries—maybe has hurt Raven as well. Though she is estranged from her sister,
Keelyn feels the immediate need to find Raven and save what family she has
left. But when others who were involved in that fateful day start dying, some
by mysterious circumstances, Keelyn wonders if she can emerge unscathed a
second time.

Poison
delves into some interesting medical concepts: Are there such things as
repressed memories? Does hypnosis work? Can someone be brainwashed? And of
course—there’s a deadly toxin mixed in.

Please give us the
first page of the book.
Jordyn: Here is a website
link to the first five chapters.

Lena—thanks so much for having me back! It’s
been a pleasure joining you and your readers.It's a pleasure to have you back, Jordyn. Both my husband and I loved your first book. I'm sure we will love this one, too.Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.Poison: A Novel (Bloodline Trilogy) - paperbackPoison (Bloodline Trilogy) - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

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A great interview. Thank you for giving me a chance to win your book, it sounds great i would love to win it. So you like suspense books inherent to your nature as being an ER nurse? I thought it was so nice were you see God's fingerprint in all of your writing, that just thrills me.I think your cover and tittle would sale all of your books. Great job and God bless you.Norma Stanforth from Ohio

This book seems super suspenseful. Usually I don't usually read suspense but I'm trying to branch out. I have never read Dean Koontz. Gasp! Maybe I'll put one of his novels on my "to-read" list. Kristie from Ohio. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.